‘Deliver March 11 polls to required standards, expectations of the Nigerian people,’ EU urges INEC
European Union (EU) has urged aggrieved political parties and other stakeholders challenging the outcome of the February 25 Presidential and National Assembly elections to seek redress in the court of law, just as it called on the Nigerian electorate to vote in the scheduled March 11 state Assembly and governorship polls.
Reacting to the emergence of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as President-elect after his declaration as winner of the Presidential election, last Wednesday, by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the EU implored the commission to ensure that the March 11 polls are ‘delivered to the required standards and the highest expectations of the Nigerian people.’
The statement by the EU, signed by the organisation’s Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Nabila Massrali, and issued, Tuesday, comes amid heavy disputes arising from the February 25 Presidential elections conducted by the INEC, as already two opposition political parties that participated in the electoral process have since filed separate suits before the Election Tribunal in the country.
The EU’s election observer mission had in its preliminary report on the election berated INEC over the process and conduct of the polls, which it said had much to be improved upon.
“European Union (EU) welcomes the Nigerian people’s commitment to democracy and the announcement of the results of the 25 February elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), declaring Mr Bola Tinubu as president-elect.
“As the process continues, the EU is encouraged that all presidential candidates and political parties are upholding the rule of law, by seeking to solve their differences through the established legal means.
“We commend the firm commitment of all political actors to the remaining electoral process, calling on the electorate for their peaceful support and to go out to cast their vote in the upcoming Governorship and State Assemblies’ elections.
“All stakeholders, in particular INEC, are expected to do their utmost to ensure that the elections of 11 March are delivered to the required standards and the highest expectations of the Nigerian people.
“The EU Election Observation Mission has presented its preliminary findings on the Presidential, Senate and House of Representatives elections. It will remain in Nigeria until completion of the entire electoral process and, in due course, it will issue its final report, including its assessment and recommendations for improvements of the electoral framework,” the statement read.
